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Post Office rate increases, new services go into effect Jan. 27

By Sheri HinkThe Wauneta Breeze The U.S. Postal Service announced new prices and services for 2013 which will go into effect on Jan. 27. The most notable changes are a new Global Forever stamp and a one-cent price increase for First Class stamps. The USPS will unveil a new service oan Jan. 27–a new forever stamp for all international destinations. The new First Class Global Forever Stamp will allow USPS customers to mail one ounce letters anywhere in the world for the set price of $1.10. The USPS increased the price for a First Class Mail, one-ounce letter to 46 cents. Both of these forever stamps will allow postal customers to mail a one-ounce letter anytime in the future regardless of price changes. Other rate changes include a one-cent increase to mail postcards, bringing the price to 33 cents. The additional ounce price for first class letters remained unchanged at 20 cents per additional ounce. Packages The USPS will also unveil new shipping services in January. USPS will offer free tracking services on all competitive packages such as Express Mail, Priority Mail and Standard Post (formerly named Partial Post). Flat rate services The Post Office will continue to offer a variety of flat-rate boxes and envelopes. The Priority Flat Rate for a small box will increase 25 cents to $5.80; a medium box moves from $11.35 to $12.35; and large box from $15.45 to $16.85. Flat rate envelopes continue to be available. Flat Rate regular envelopes can be sent for $5.60, legal-sized envelopes for $5.75 and padded envelopes for $5.95.